<acronym title='Federation Rules (High School)'>FED</acronym> notable rules / differences cheat sheet

sdix00 · January 19, 2012

In the most recent 100 topics, there are only THREE from the rules forum. So I thought I would spice it up a bit.

I have a friend who will be working his first year of HS ball this year. I think I freak him out a little when I talk about FED rules.

So I thought I would make him a cheat sheet / crash course to help him manage the mess that is the FED rule book.

I broke the rules out by topic and listed them in order of encounter/priority, bringing the most important stuff to the TOP and hiding the stuff that doesn't really matter at the bottom. Safety appears toward the TOP because it's our favorite FED topic.

I tried to balance brevity against accuracy and probably failed at both.

It's a Google doc and I hope to make it better over time. I want to change the wording on many of these so it does not resemble that of other publications, but still gets the point across. The doc is not intended to replace the rule book, but to just checklist the things that an umpire familiar with OBR needs to study before stepping on to a HS field.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pgAiDBv0UszrzY1lfzzbKGi6FbT-3hcYq-c4cy0VGe0/edit

Basically, I wish I had this last year.

You get one gold star for every error or omission you find.

Plate Meeting:

NFHS 1-1-2, 1-1-3-The lineup cards and official scorebook must contain all starters and substitute players.
NFHS 1-1-7, 2-10-2, 10-2-3-Prior to a game, each coach is required to inform the plate umpire (or umpire-in-chief) that all his players are legally equipped.
Sportmanship - e.g. "all participants are expected to exhibit good sporting behavior throughout the game"

Safety

Headgear
- A catcher must wear a helmet with full ear protection, mask, throat guard, shin guards, body protector, and protective cup (if male).
  - The helmet, mask, throat guard, and protective cup (if male) must be worn anywhere by any person taking the crouch position to warm up a pitcher.
  [*]The umpires' jurisdiction extends beyond the bounds of the playing field in enforcing this requirement.
  [*]NFHS 1-5-1 While the ball is live, batters, runners, batter-runners, retired runners, on-deck batters, and player/student base coaches must wear a double ear flap helmet when on live ball territory (team warning/ejection). A batter's and catcher's helmet must bear the NOCSAE stamp of approval.
  [*]A face guard attached to a batter's helmet must be attached by the helmet manufacturer, or by a process approved by the helmet manufacturer (see also NFHS 1-4-6).
  [*]NFHS 1-5-5 If a pitcher or other defensive player wears a helmet or face guard, it must have a non-glare surface.
  NFHS 1-1-6-A player can wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace; however, it must be taped against the player such that it is immobilized but visible. A player can also wear prostheses if they are no more dangerous than the corresponding body parts and do not give the player an advantage over an opponent.
[*]Jewlery -

[*]Blood - 3-1-6 - If there is any amount of blood on the uniform, it shall be changed or cleaned before that individual participates again. (See Communicable Disease Procedures on page 75.)

[*]Concussions 3-1-5 - Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional. (See NFHS Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussions on page 73.)

[*]NFHS 5-2-1d-An umpire may immediately call time (before the end of continuous action) if he determines that a medical emergency exists, or that further play may jeopardize an injured player's safety.

[*]NFHS 3-3-4-If players are warming up during a game without a fence or some other form of protection, someone must stand between them and home plate with a glove to protect them from batted and thrown baseballs. This gloved player is NOT required to wear a helmet.

Bats and BBCOR stuff here (Not Finished)

NFHS 5-1-1 c, 1-3-5-Terminology is different. "Illegal" bats are either altered or do not meet specifications (batter who enters batter's box with "illegal" bat is out, ball is dead). "Defective" bats are broken, cracked, or dented, or cause discoloration of the ball (bat is removed, play is â€¢ otherwise unaffected).

Most Common/Important Rules/Differences

NFHS 2-22-1,5-1-3,8-3-2., 8.3.2a- On any obstruction the ball remains live.
A Fake tag is OBS
NFHS 2-22-3-It is obstruction any time that a fielder without the ball denies the runner access to a base. (No such thing as â€œin the act of fielding a throwâ€)
NFHS 5-1-3-The ball becomes dead when an umpire recognizes the defense's request to grant an intentional walk. An intentional walk can be granted when the catcher or his coach requests it; no pitches need be thrown and the walk can be granted with any count on the batter (NFHS 2-4-3).

Avoiding a fielder

Runner is out when:
NFHS 8-4-2c - Similar to the LL Slide-or-attempt-to-get-around rule, Runner must avoid a fielder in the immediate act of making a play on him (8-4-2c). The ball remains live unless interference is called.
NFHS 8-4-2d, 8-4-2b2- runner attempts to go over the TOP of any fielder (unless the fielder is lying down or the runner goes over his outstretched arm; see 8-4-2b-2) is out; the ball remains live.
NFHS 8-4-2b2 - Diving is ALWAYS illegal, regardless if the fielder is prone.
NFHS 2-32-1,2-32-2 - Slides illegally
- rolling, cross-body or pop-up slide into the fielder
- raised leg is higher than the fielderâ€™s knee
- runner goes beyond the base and then contacts/alters play
- runner slashes or kicks the fielder
- runner tries to injure the fielder
- runner, on a force play, does not slide on the ground and in a direct line between the two bases.

Force Play Slide Rule

See:https://www.arbitersports.com/MyRefereeApp/Print.aspx?mod=PrintArticle&pid=1977
A runner is out when, on a force play, (8-4-2b, 2-32-2)
- Fails to slide and subsequently interferes
- Slides illegally (see above)
[*]NFHS 8-4-2b--If a runner is forced to home when he touches it and then interferes with a throw, his run is nullified and he and the BR are out. If a runner who is not forced touches home and then interferes with a batted ball, his run is allowed but the BR is out.

Designated Hitter 3-1-4

A hitter may be (not mandatory) designated for any one starting player (not just pitchers) and all subsequent substitutes for that player in the game.
A starting defensive player cannot be listed as the DH in the starting lineup.
A DHâ€™s name shall be included (next to or below the defensive player) on the lineup cards presented to the UIC.
Failure to declare a DH at the plate meeting precludes the use of a DH for that game.
The DH, and the player he is batting for, are both locked into that spot in the batting order.
DH is terminated if the defensive player (or subs) bats/runs or the DH (or subs) plays defense

Malicious Contact

NFHS 3-3-1n-A runner who maliciously crashes into any fielder when the contact was avoidable (or when contact was unavoidable, but the runner's intent was to harm) is out and ejected, the ball is dead, and other runners must return to their last bases touched or passed at the time of the malicious crash.
A runner who has scored and then crashes into a fielder is allowed his run (such runner is still ejected).
If a defensive player initiates the malicious contact, the ball is dead and he is ejected (umpire must rule out or safe on the play as usual).
Runners are awarded the bases they would have obtained absent the malicious contact.

Pitching Rules Differences

A balk is an immediate Dead Ball.
NFHS 6-1-2-If a pitcher steps onto the rubber in the windup position with his hands apart, then brings both hands together at the same time, he is considered to have begun his motion to pitch.
NFHS 6-1-2-It is a balk if a pitcher attempts a pickoff from the windup position.
NFHS 6-1 to 6-3-Any violation of the pitching rules 6-1 to 6-3 is considered an illegal pitch, even if the pitch is not delivered.
- That means -
- NFHS 6-1-2-With no runners, it is a ball if a pitcher goes from windup to set (or vice versa) without disengaging the rubber.
- NFHS 6-1-3-It is a ball if a pitcher using the stretch position with no runners fails to come set before delivering a pitch.
[*]NFHS 6-2-2c, 6.2.2d- (8/5/1 vs 8/8/1) The first time any pitcher warms up on the game mound he is allowed eight warm-up pitches. Each subsequent time that the game pitcher warms up prior to the start of a half-inning, only five warm-up pitches are allowed. Pitcher only gets one minute between innings.
[*]NFHS 6.2.4c-A pitcher is not required to remove his pivot foot from the rubber during a feint to third before turning and throwing to first base, but the throw to first is required because the pitcher is still considered to be in contact with the rubber.
[*]NFHS 6-2-4d-If a pitcher is beginning his delivery and a batter requests time, or steps back out of the batter's box, and time is not granted, then a completed pitch is automatically called a strike. An additional strike is assessed in this situation if the batter steps outside the batter's box with both feet (without being forced out of the box or exiting for another reason) per Federation rule 7-3-1. Furthermore, if the batter steps out with both feet and the pitcher hesitates, a strike is assessed per Federation rule 7-3-1. If the umpire determines that it is the batter's explicit intent to cause the pitcher to balk by such actions, the batter is ejected.
[*]NFHS 6-2-5- (FED=5ft, NCAA=10ft circle, OBR=Straddle rubber) During the hidden ball trick, it is a balk if the pitcher is within five feet of the pitching rubber without the ball.

Appeals(Not finished)

Dead ball appeals are allowed
Verbal appeals are allowed
no appeal necessary
- runner taking a running start from behind the base to retouch
[*]coach appeals are allowed
[*]appeals after offense initiates a play are allowed
[*]appeals after overthrows are allowed

State-specific Rules: (Not Finished)

Less Common but Notable Rules

NFHS 1-2-4--An on-deck batter is not required. If a batter chooses to warm up, he must be in the area of his on-deck circle-- Bats+weights allowed, chains,pipes, hammers, etc. NOT allowed
NFHS 1-3-1-Breakaway bases and a safe-first base are allowed
NFHS 1-3-7-If equipment left lying on LBT alters a play in favor of the offending team, the umpires are authorized to nullify the advantage by awarding bases, declaring outs, returning runners, etc.

Conferences - 2-10-1, 3-4-1, 3-4-2, 3-4-5

FED calls them â€œConferencesâ€ instead of â€œTripsâ€
A charged conference is a meeting between a coach and a player.
A conference is not charged if the pitcher is removed.
The coach is allowed:
- 3 defensive conferences during the regulation innings
- 1 defensive conference for each extra inning
- 1 offensive conference per inning
[*]Conferences do not accumulate or carry over
[*]Coach can quickly confer with his team during an opposing teamâ€™s charged conference or break in the action (e.g. umpireâ€™s time out)
[*]Umpire must notify a coach each time a conference is charged.
[*]NFHS 3-4-1-During regulation innings, a pitcher must be replaced each time a coach confers with any defensive player after three defensive conferences have been charged.
[*]During any extra inning, a pitcher must be replaced when a coach confers with any defensive player after one defensive conference has been charged.
[*]Note: a replaced pitcher cannot again pitch in that game; however, he can remain in the game or reenter it later at a non-pitching position (if it is his first reentry).

Number of players (not finished)

NFHS 3-1-3-Any of the nine or ten starters who become replaced can reenter the game once. However, any player listed as a starter for a game must be at the ballpark when the lineups are exchanged (4.4. Ie).
NFHS 4-4-1-A team is allowed to continue with eight players. When the hole in the lineup fails to bat, record an out.

Annoying little differences

NFHS 1-1-4-Fielders must be in fair territory at the time-of-pitch; a fielder with one foot in fair territory is considered to be in fair territory.
NFHS 5-1-li-Both feet of a standing fielder must be in DBT before the fielder is considered to have entered DBT.

When you get really bored:

NFHS 1-2-S-It is recommended that if an expansion of the dugouts is made, the dugouts should be extended toward the outfield on a line parallel to the foul line. Both dugouts should end up the same size.
NFHS 1-2-8, S-1-11-When on the playing field, media personnel are required by rule to be contained within a lined area. The ball is dead if it strikes anything within the area; if any media personnel exit the area and are struck by a live ball, it remains live.
NFHS 1-3-1-Legal baseballs are identifiable by the NFHS "authenticating mark." If such legal baseballs are not available, the umpires should go fOlWard with the game, but report the ncident to the state association. The home team must provide the umpire with three baseballs to start the game, and no less than two must be readily available after that.
NFHS 2-35-The strike zone is that area over home plate between the batter's knees and the halfway point between his shoulders and waistline, as exhibited in his normal stance. (Compare this with OBR: â€œ. . .determined from the batterâ€™s stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.â€
NFHS 3-1-2-No penalty is mandated or suggested for a coach who .. insists on taking an illegal conference; it has been recommended that the umpire restrict or eject the coach.
NFHS 1-4-4-A manufacturer's logo on a uniform may not exceed 2 1/4 square inches, and may appear only once on the uniform. A two-by three-inch American flag may be worn on each uniform item. A commemorative patch (with dimension restrictions identical to manufacturer's logos) may be worn on the jersey. The numbers on the uniform must be at least eight inches in height.
NFHS 3-3-1g-A player may not wear a bandana.
NFHS 3-3-1g-2-Team personnel may not direct intimidating remarks toward their opponents.
NFHS 3-3-li-A base coach is allowed to hold a scorebook or rulebook, including an electronic device used for scorekeeping purposes only, and a stopwatch, but no other objects (restriction or ejection).
NFHS 3-3-1m-A player is prohibited from throwing his bat, helmet, glove, etc., to show disgust; penalty-immediate ejection.
NFHS 5-1-1h, 5. 1. 1a-c-The ball is dead if an umpire verbally announces a foul ball; such call cannot be changed.
NFHS 5-1-2g-When an illegal glove touches a live ball, the penalty is equivalent to detached equipment.
NFHS 1-3-6-The size of a catcher's mitt is not limited. Maximum dimensions of fielder's glove: 14 inches long, 8 inches wide, webbing 5 % inches on TOP and bottom. There is no distinction between a fielder's glove and a first baseman's mitt; either may be worn at any position. Fielders are required to wear a glove or mitt.
NFHS 1-3-6, 6-2-1h-The pitcher's glove cannot contain any white or gray areas. A multi-color glove is legal if it is not considered distracting according to the judgment of the umpire.
NFHS 1-1-S-A team is not specifically required to have sleeves of the same color; only sleeves of the approximate same length.
NFHS 1-2-1-A line marking the separation ofLBT/DBT is itself LBT.
NFHS 1-2-1-The coaching box is only 5 feet wide.
NFHS 1-2-2-The use of synthetic materials in constructing the pitching mound is allowed.

Sorry to say, there is still more. Check out the J/R NFHS Appendix, The BRD, and Section 10 "Major Rules Differences" in the NFHS rule book for a comprehensive list of differences.

mstaylor · January 19, 2012

There is verbal obstruction in FED. The rule for contact is slide or attempt to avoid, contact is legal. DH is a starter and has reentry rights. Explain what you mean by Appeals after overthrows are allowed. An injury visit is not charged. DC is over when coach crosses the foul line. If the conference was in foul, it ends when either turns away. OC is over when the coach turns to leave. Dugouts that are extended must be toward the outfield fence. It used to be a recomendation, now a requirement. A pitched ball touched by detached equipment is two bases, not one as other codes.

sdix00 · January 19, 2012

Not sure why the title of this post does not appear in the topic list.

"FED notable rules / differences cheat sheet" instead appears as simply "FED"

WEIRD

Stretch · January 19, 2012

With the FPSR: Your bullet point needs a little more information. A runner who decides to slide must slide legally. A runner is not out automatically because he did not slide in a force play situation.

yawetag · January 19, 2012

FED has fake tag as obstruction.

johnnyg08 · January 20, 2012

FED has fake tag as obstruction.

That is correct isn't it? However, isn't the first time a warning? I really don't remember how FED enforces this. I suppose I should look it up. I have to say that if it is a warning and it seriously impedes a runner, I'm likely awarding a base, no doubt, that is for sure.

gobama84 · January 20, 2012

FED has fake tag as obstruction.

That is correct isn't it? However, isn't the first time a warning? I really don't remember how FED enforces this. I suppose I should look it up. I have to say that if it is a warning and it seriously impedes a runner, I'm likely awarding a base, no doubt, that is for sure.

Yes its is a warning and obstruction. You will award "at least one base" because of the obstruction. That's the FED Rule.

LMSANS · January 20, 2012

FED has fake tag as obstruction.

That is correct isn't it? However, isn't the first time a warning? I really don't remember how FED enforces this. I suppose I should look it up. I have to say that if it is a warning and it seriously impedes a runner, I'm likely awarding a base, no doubt, that is for sure.

Yes its is a warning and obstruction. You will award "at least one base" because of the obstruction. That's the FED Rule.

What are you warning?

johnnyg08 · January 20, 2012

FED has fake tag as obstruction.

That is correct isn't it? However, isn't the first time a warning? I really don't remember how FED enforces this. I suppose I should look it up. I have to say that if it is a warning and it seriously impedes a runner, I'm likely awarding a base, no doubt, that is for sure.

Yes its is a warning and obstruction. You will award "at least one base" because of the obstruction. That's the FED Rule.

What are you warning?

That's right...the next fake tag is an ejection....

gobama84 · January 20, 2012

FED has fake tag as obstruction.

That is correct isn't it? However, isn't the first time a warning? I really don't remember how FED enforces this. I suppose I should look it up. I have to say that if it is a warning and it seriously impedes a runner, I'm likely awarding a base, no doubt, that is for sure.

Yes its is a warning and obstruction. You will award "at least one base" because of the obstruction. That's the FED Rule.

What are you warning?

I would have sworn it was a warning and ejection the 2nd time, but after looking in 2012 FED Rules, I don't see it. What is the deterrent if there is no penalty?

johnnyg08 · January 20, 2012

I would have sworn it was a warning and ejection the 2nd time, but after looking in 2012 FED Rules, I don't see it. What is the deterrent if there is no penalty?

alright, you guys win, I'll look it up.

sdix00 · January 20, 2012

3-3-1b PEN

SECTION 3 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT
ART. 1 . . . A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall
not:
. . .
b. fake a tag without the ball;
PENALTY: At the end of playing action, the umpire shall issue a warning to the
coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected,
except for (f), where the coach shall be ejected. In (b ), it is also obstruction
(8-3-2).

johnnyg08 · January 20, 2012

2012 Rules by Topic

p 94

"at the end of playing action following a fake tag, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected" (3-3-1 penalty).

gobama84 · January 20, 2012

2012 Rules by Topic

p 94

"at the end of playing action following a fake tag, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected" (3-3-1 penalty).

3-3-1b PEN

SECTION 3 BENCH AND FIELD CONDUCT
ART. 1 . . . A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall
not:
. . .
b. fake a tag without the ball;
PENALTY: At the end of playing action, the umpire shall issue a warning to the
coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected,
except for (f), where the coach shall be ejected. In (b ), it is also obstruction
(8-3-2).

2012 Rules by Topic

p 94

"at the end of playing action following a fake tag, the umpire shall issue a warning to the coach of the team involved and the next offender on that team shall be ejected" (3-3-1 penalty).

Thanks! I have called the way in the past (never had 2nd fake tag) but could not find it quickly in the book. I looked up Obstruction in the index and it didn't lead me to the penalty. Thanks again as I started doubting myself.

mstaylor · January 20, 2012

Not sure why the title of this post does not appear in the topic list.

"FED notable rules / differences cheat sheet" instead appears as simply "FED"

WEIRD

Are you using a mobile connection. It may be truncated because of that. The whole topic line is showing for me.

LMSANS · January 21, 2012

OK...I thought you were issuing a warning instead of the obstruction call. In 8 years I've called it once & the coach gave the warning to his team. :smachhead:

mstaylor · January 21, 2012

The obstruction is called each time, the warning is for unsportmanlike and dangerous.

jjskitours · February 8, 2012

NFHS 6-1-3-It is a ball if a pitcher using the stretch position with no runners fails to come set before delivering a pitch.

I must admit I never interpreted FED rule to require pitcher to come to a stop from the set position with no runners, but

a literal reading sure does say it is illegal. I guess that is just one I've played by the OBR.

mstaylor · February 8, 2012

The stop with no runners is an example of LCD.

JaxRolo · February 8, 2012

NFHS 6-1-3-It is a ball if a pitcher using the stretch position with no runners fails to come set before delivering a pitch.
I must admit I never interpreted FED rule to require pitcher to come to a stop from the set position with no runners, but
a literal reading sure does say it is illegal. I guess that is just one I've played by the OBR.

We discussed this at one of our meetings and were told that we would be grabbing the $hitty end of the stick if we called it.

mstaylor · February 8, 2012

NFHS 6-1-3-It is a ball if a pitcher using the stretch position with no runners fails to come set before delivering a pitch.
I must admit I never interpreted FED rule to require pitcher to come to a stop from the set position with no runners, but
a literal reading sure does say it is illegal. I guess that is just one I've played by the OBR.

We discussed this at one of our meetings and were told that we would be grabbing the $hitty end of the stick if we called it.

Which is why it hasn't been changed, we don't enforce it so most coaches aren't aware it is illegal. Most don't teach to pick from the wind-up so they aren't aware of that difference either.

Pops · February 8, 2012

NFHS 6-1-3-It is a ball if a pitcher using the stretch position with no runners fails to come set before delivering a pitch.
I must admit I never interpreted FED rule to require pitcher to come to a stop from the set position with no runners, but
a literal reading sure does say it is illegal. I guess that is just one I've played by the OBR.

We discussed this at one of our meetings and were told that we would be grabbing the $hitty end of the stick if we called it.

Which is why it hasn't been changed, we don't enforce it so most coaches aren't aware it is illegal. Most don't teach to pick from the wind-up so they aren't aware of that difference either.

What do you mean "pick from the wind-up?" I thought it was illegal for the pitcher to throw to first in the windup position unless he stepped off the rubber.

jjskitours · February 8, 2012

It is illegal in FED, but legal under OBR which is what he's saying. NF should make this one consistent with OBR

mstaylor · February 9, 2012

And Pops proves my point. Most don't realize that you can pick from the windup in OBR so they don't know that FED is out of sync. I had an interesting conversation last year with an ex MLB pitcher, a longtime manager and a pitching coach with AA experience. When I mentioned picking from the windup they felt I had lost my mind.

johnnyg08 · February 13, 2012

I nearly had an ejection one game because I allowed a pick off from the wind up. (non FED game)

<acronym title='Federation Rules (High School)'>FED</acronym> notable rules / differences cheat sheet

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